New Achievements of Iranian Doctors and Researchers

Eye health is one of the most significant concerns of modern humans. Losing vision has always been a great tragedy for people. One of the primary goals of contemporary science is to ensure human health. In recent years, stem cells have become a central topic in the medical world. Now, Iranian scientists and researchers, alongside their global counterparts, have made significant contributions in this field—particularly in ophthalmology, where Iranian researchers' findings on stem cell science have led to new treatment methods.

Yesterday, a conference titled "Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine in Ophthalmology" was held at the Research Center of Farabi Hospital, attended by journalists from various media outlets. During the event, doctors and researchers presented their findings on stem cells and the use of this technology in corneal regeneration.

Dr. Ahad Khoshzaban, head of the stem cell procurement unit at Farabi Hospital, stated that corneal stem cells, extracted from the cornea, are now being used for eye surface regeneration in Iran. The laboratory phase has been completed, and the project is ready to enter the clinical phase. Because of this progress, Farabi Hospital has been conducting laboratory research on this project for about five years. Now, there is hope that, starting in 2016, the operational phase of the cell therapy project for eye and corneal health will be available to the public.

Khoshzaban added:
"We hope to initiate a new movement and continue the process that began years ago. At Farabi Hospital, more than 420 eye surgeries are performed daily, and between 1,700 and 2,000 people receive various medical consultations. As the leading ophthalmology center in the Middle East, the hospital is recognized for its research, clinical work, and ethical practices. We hope to uphold Iran’s reputation in this field."

Dr. Farzad Mohammadi, a cornea specialist and faculty member of the Ophthalmology Research Center, emphasized:
"In regenerative medicine, basic sciences must be integrated with clinical sciences. Through collaboration with basic science researchers, corneal regeneration using stem cells can be achieved. Over the past few years, biological management of stem cells has progressed significantly."

He further explained:
"Corneal stem cells can be used to treat surface eye burns, chemical burns—especially unilateral cases where the other eye cannot assist in vision—thermal injuries, and damage caused by accidents and acts of violence such as acid attacks."

According to Dr. Mohammadi, even a 10-20% improvement in the recovery and treatment process of patients would be considered a success. In corneal regeneration, the number of stem cells can be expanded on the eye’s surface, increasing the procedure’s success rate.

Dr. Khoshzaban added:
"In cell therapy, the patient’s own cells are used for regeneration, serving as a supportive tool to restore tissue to an acceptable condition."

Looking ahead, there is hope that corneal stem cells will bring about a revolution in the field of ophthalmology in the coming years, allowing patients to regain their eye health.

The First National Conference on Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine in Ophthalmology is scheduled to be held on Thursday, January 21, 2016, at Farabi Hospital in Tehran.